A DOZEN extra paramedics are bound for the Redlands to cope with an increase in health system demand brought on by coronavirus.
The Queensland Ambulance Service officers are being fast-tracked to the Redlands to assist in the pandemic response and ease pressure on the health system.
Redlands MP Kim Richards said the state government had already delivered six new paramedics and a further 12 officers would start in the coming weeks.
"Redland residents deserve access to the best possible healthcare, they expect that when they or a loved one calls 000 an ambulance arrives in a timely manner to deliver world class care," she said.
"More paramedics will ease the pressure on our health system and ensure everyone has access to that care."
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Springwood MP Mick de Brenni said the government had been hiring more doctors, nurses and paramedics for the last five years.
"Now we're facing our biggest challenge yet and the work we've done has us well placed to fight this pandemic but as we confirm more cases the demand on our health system will increase," he said.
"That's why it's vital we hire additional front-line workers now so we can cope with the increase in demand."
Capalaba MP Don Brown said he looked forward to meeting the extra paramedics.
"Our ambos are doing an incredible job and we're so proud to have so many hard working ones in our community," Mr Brown said.
"They're super heroes, not super human and they need to be able to rest. By hiring additional paramedics we can take the pressure off our existing ones."
QAS Triple Zero Operations Centres will also get a boost, with 15 extra emergency medical dispatchers beginning training this week.
QAS Commissioner Russell Bowles said planning for an expected surge in workload had been ongoing since January.
"We're well versed at preparing for and responding to major events and while this pandemic is something new we're confident we have the plans in place to meet community demand," he said.
